Hiromu Takahashi wants to defend IWGP Junior title in AEW

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

Hiromu Takahashi wants to defend his IWPG Junior Heavyweight Championship in AEW. 

The 33-year-old spoke to Sports Illustrated ahead of this weekend’s All Star Junior Festival and Multiverse United 2. He mentioned wanting to wrestle in AEW, potentially teaming with Sting or wrestling against Darby Allin. 

“A dream of mine is to have a match on live prime time TV,” said Takahashi through a translator. “I’d be stoked to wrestle in AEW any time and defend the IWGP junior heavyweight title there. Last year, I was supposed to team up with Darby Allin and Sting. So I want to team up with Sting rather than wrestle him. Wrestling someone? That would be Darby.”

Takahashi had been scheduled to team with Sting, Allin, and Shingo Takagi against The Young Bucks, Hikuleo, and El Phantasmo at Forbidden Door 2022. However, he was pulled from the show that day after coming down with a fever. 

Up next for Takahashi will be Saturday’s All Star Junior Festival show from Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. The show is set to feature junior heavyweight wrestlers from promotions worldwide. AEW, CMLL, DDT, Dragon Gate, GCW, Impact, NJPW, and ROH are sending wrestlers to the show. 

“All Star Junior Festival is the show to let fans know how great all of junior heavyweight wrestling is,” said Takahashi. 

Takahashi will team with Rocky Romero in what is being billed as a triple threat tag team ladder match for the Pat’s King of Steaks Philly Cheesesteak Cup. Their opponents will be the teams of Blake Christian & Master Wato and DOUKI & Low Rider. 

“So what I can do as the junior heavyweight champion is to enjoy the show more than anyone else. I’ll be fighting over Philly cheesesteak in a ladder match–nothing could be more iconic in Philly,” Takahashi continued. “I couldn’t be more hyped.”

Takahashi will team with Mike Bailey the following night at Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2, which will also take place in the 2300 Arena. Bailey and Takahashi will face Lio Rush & Trey Miguel on the show. 

All Star Junior Festival August 19, 2023 lineup:

  • Goldy vs. Vinny Pacifico
  • Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne vs. El Desperado & Mao
  • Rocky Romero & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Blake Christian & Master Wato vs. Low Rider in a triple threat ladder match for the Pat’s King of Steaks Philly Cheesesteak Cup
  • Kevin Knight vs. Clark Connors in a first round match in the All Star Junior Festival 2023 USA tournament
  • Mike Bailey vs. Francesco Akira in a first round match in the All Star Junior Festival 2023 USA tournament
  • Matt Sydal & YOH vs. Shun Skywalker & Bushi
  • Rich Swann, Ryusuke Taguchi, & The DKC vs. Real1, Jack Cartwheel, & Starboy Charlie
  • Finals of the All Star Junior Festival USA tournament
  • Dragon Kid vs Fugaz vs. KC Navarro vs. Lio Rush vs. Soberano Jr. 

Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2 August 20, 2023 lineup:

  • Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Lio Rush & Trey Miguel vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey
  • DOUKI vs. Sami Callihan
  • Zack Sabre Jr. & Shane Haste vs. Moose & Eddie Edwards
  • Chris Sabin vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Rich Swann vs. Kevin Knight vs. BUSHI vs. Mao vs. El Desperado in a seven-way scramble
  • Bullet Club (David Finlay, Clark Connors, Alex Coughlin, KENTA, Chris Bey & Ace Austin) vs. The World (Josh Alexander, PCO, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, El Phantasmo & The DKC)
  • Pre-show: Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King defends against Yoshinobu Kanemaru
  • Pre-show: Joe Hendry, Yuya Uemura & Heath vs. Rocky Romero, Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi
  • SANADA appearance